Let the Record Reflect: A Nuclear Dud

Despite all the drum-banging that President Obama was going to propose deep cuts in the nation’s nuclear arsenal, perhaps in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night (see here, and here, for example), his only references to the atomic genie were understated:

The leaders of Iran must recognize that now’s the time for a diplomatic solution because a coalition stands united in demanding that they meet their obligations, and we will do what is necessary to prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon. At the same time we’ll engage Russia to seek further reductions in our nuclear arsenals and continue leading the global effort to secure nuclear materials that could fall into the wrong hands because our ability to influence others depends on our willingness to lead and meet our obligations.

Guess all the arms-control wonks will have to focus on Iran and North Korea for awhile. And modernizing the U.S. nuclear-weapons complex, of course.

news report:The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed to recent offers by American officials, announcing constantly that they are prepared to negotiate with Iran. He reiterated: "These comments are not new and they have repeatedly said these things at different junctures. Each time, the Iranian nation judged the Americans' offers according to their actions."

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the Americans who said that the ball is in Iran's court, reiterating: "The ball is in your court because it is you who should answer this question: does it make sense to speak about negotiations while you continue to exert pressures and make threats?"

His Eminence said: "Negotiations are for the sake of proving one's honest good will. You commit tens of dishonest acts and then you speak about negotiations. Can the Iranian nation believe that you are honest?"http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=388673